Here’s a letter I received from one of our readers as a cautionary tale for those who like to let their dogs ride along in the back of their pick-up trucks. Please read the entire letter.

I was in traffic on a busy highway in my city behind a bright red pickup truck. There were two cute miniature Schnauzers loosein the bed of the truck. when suddenly the traffic came to a screeching halt. Thankfully I was following at a safe distance so I did not hit the truck. But to my shock something flew out the bed of the truck.

It was one of the darling little dogs. It landed in the opposite lane, its skull was smashed just that quick. A teen jumped out of passenger side of the truck and ran into traffic.Traffic stopped. He was about to pick up the little dog, the sight was too much he started to turn away, but then got courage enough to pick up the little dear, leaving a pool of blood on the pavement. By then his dad the driver had the truck pulled over.

This all happened in a matter of seconds. His Dad took the dog and at that moment it was like the head blew up and blood was everywhere. The dog convulsed violently and that was it. The boy was shaking and crying.

FOLKS, THIS NEVER HAD TO HAPPEN PLEASE NEVER EVER LET YOUR DOGS RIDE UNSECURED IN THE BACK OF A PICKUP TRUCK , OR LEANING FAR OUT A VEHICLE WINDOW.

If I have reached just one pet owner and helped save just one life then I will know that one little pup did not die in vain and that there was some reason for what I was forced to witness yesterday.

Truly needless and tragic for all involved. Here’s some good advice from the Humane Society.

If you must transport your dog in a pickup truck, put him in the cab with you in a travel crate or other pet carrier. If you have an extended cab, have your pet ride in the back portion of the cab where he will be away from the front windshield. It is not safe for your dog to ride in the bed of a pickup even with a restraint. The HSUS knows of no brand of harness that has been proven safe in this situation. In fact, there have been cases where dogs restrained by leashes or harnesses have been strangled or dragged after being thrown from a truck bed.

I hope people don’t disregard this post, thinking their dog is different. Accidents happen but they don’t have to turn into tragic ones.